News

Our Efforts At Resetting Education In Edo have Yielded Fruits, Obaseki Boasts

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

Editor

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said his administration’s efforts in resetting education in the State have yielded positive fruits with visible evidence to show.

Obaseki said this while delivering his welcome address as the College Visitor at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Edo College of Education, in Igueben Local Government Area of the State.

The governor said, “We decided to reset education because of the critical and important role that it plays in our lives as individuals and as a nation. That reset button means we have to look at education afresh from the beginning, from the very basic level which is the foundation to the tertiary institution level.

“There was a lot of rancour in the beginning. We shut down many of the schools because we felt they were not doing what they were set out to do in the first place. We changed the laws setting most of them up as we didn’t see the need to have several schools doing the same thing in an uncoordinated manner.

“We decided to look holistically at education in Edo State and thank God for the courage to take those bold moves. Today, what have we achieved? First, we have looked at the entire spectrum, the ecosystem, and certain key pillars which we believe that the pillars will rest.

“Without a foundation, nothing can be built as such we focused on the foundation of education, which is basic education. We quickly realised that for basic education to work and for children to learn, you have to focus on the teachers. Focusing on the teachers meant motivating and giving them tools to work, particularly technology. The key to that is ensuring that you have an institution where you properly train these teachers. That is why the College of Education is key to our education reforms.”

Speaking on the effort made by his government to revamp College of Education in the state, he disclosed that the government decided to create the multi campuses system to allow for accelerated growth and effective management system as well as create room for more students to be given the opportunity to realise their dream of becoming professional and well trained teachers, noting that the teaching profession in Edo has been totally transformed.

Obaseki added, “ We pressed a reset button, shut down the College, and restarted as one College of Education with the headquarters in Igueben.”

To the matriculating students, Obaseki said, “You are the first intake into this College and you are the first matriculating students today. This is why I have taken time out of my busy schedule to wish you well and let you know you are the pioneers of something new, the future that will transform Edo State.

“This matriculation is not only a transformative occasion of your life but also a transformative occasion for education in Edo State. I am glad that I am here to see what is going on.”

Reassuring sustained investment in the Institution, the governor further noted, “A lot of investment still needs to be made on this campus and I am assuring you that I will make those investments. We started with Abudu and the refurbishment is complete and this will be the next Campus. The infrastructure in this campus will be upgraded, particularly accommodation for staff and students.

“My presence here today means that I take the school and what we are doing here very seriously. Rest assured you have my support as I continue to be governor. To also make sure that the person who succeeds me continues to focus and strengthen education in Edo State.”

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said the Obaseki-led administration has completely revamped the teaching profession in the State, making it more attractive for qualified people.

“I thank Governor Obaseki for the reforms and rebirth of education in Edo State which started in 2017. He came here several times to understand and figure out how to educate and produce professional teachers in Edo State.

“Through his works, vision and commitment, the governor has restored the pride of the teaching profession which is now for polished, educated, reformed and refined men and women. You are all here because teaching is your first option.”

She added, “The College is to reposition the profession of teaching, find and recruit the best in the system. The vision of the governor is that by the time you are graduating you will have a job in one of our schools and also by the time you are graduating, you are technically vibrant.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Provost of the Edo State College of Education, Igueben Campus, Prof. (Mrs.) Roseline Osagie, said, “The College in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria has started the process of offering a one-year Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) especially for the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EdoSTAR) teaching fellows.”

Also, the Enogie of Igueben and Okaigun of Esanland, HRH Ehizogie Eluojierior I, commended the governor for his transformation of the education sector in Edo State, adding, “Obaseki has visited here more than three times as we have governors who have never visited Igueben once. Obaseki is a lover of education and the education sector has benefited from it. We thank him for the school, the competent staff and appeal to him to upgrade the facilities here as he activates his machinery to make this a reality.”

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

2 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

12 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.